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Ravens hope to have Ray Lewis in lineup before facing Broncos next week

ByTHE DENVER POST

Posted:
12/10/2012 10:26:09 AM MST

LANDOVER, Md. -- In need of a little pick-me-up, the Baltimore Ravens hope to have one of the league's all-time greats back in the lineup Sunday against the Broncos.

Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who returned to practice from injured reserve last week, is eligible to return to play against the Broncos.

That return is still in question and would almost be unprecedented as Lewis tore his right triceps in a Week 6 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Lewis had surgery shortly after the injury, and the Ravens used the "designated to return" tag on him when they placed the perennial Pro Bowl selection on injured reserve.

Lewis returned to practice last week and was seen throwing a football at times, using his right arm, between drills and was working on a blocking sled using both arms as well.

Lewis released a statement last week that said: "I'm making progress. ... But, the story shouldn't be about me right now. ... When I know I will play in a game, or when I play in a game, I will say more then."

The Ravens are 4-3 without Lewis in the lineup, including Sunday's overtime loss to the Washington Redskins.

The Ravens could be thin at linebacker given two linebackers -- Jameel McClain and Josh Bynes -- left Sunday's game. Bynes later returned in the second half, but McClain was evaluated for a neck injury and did not return to the game.

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McClain had been playing in Lewis' middle linebacker spot.

"We hope we have everybody we can have (for the Broncos)," said Ravens tackle Kelechi Osemele. "We'll just get back to chopping wood, get back to work, and hopefully everybody who can play for us will be in the lineup."

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